What Is HexChat and What Can You Do With This Free IRC Client?

Updated

HexChat is an open-source, cross-platform IRC client based on XChat. It is completely free on both Windows and Unix-like systems, and it is designed for everyday IRC use: connecting to multiple networks, joining channels automatically, and extending behavior through scripts. If you want a no-cost IRC client that runs on Windows or Linux and can be customized with Lua, Python, or Perl, HexChat fits that use case.

What HexChat actually is

HexChat is an IRC client. An IRC client is the program you use to connect to IRC networks, join channels, and chat in real time. HexChat is based on XChat, but unlike XChat it is completely free for both Windows and Unix-like systems. Because XChat is open source, building a free client from it is legal. HexChat was originally called XChat-WDK, which was itself a successor of freakschat.

That lineage matters if you have seen XChat before: HexChat keeps the same general model of an IRC client while removing the cost barrier on Windows.

Core features you get

The official feature list covers the practical needs of most IRC users:

  • Easy to use and customizable interface — you can adjust how the client looks and behaves.
  • Cross-platform on Windows and Unix-like OSes — the same client concept works across those systems.
  • Highly scriptable with Lua, Python, and Perl — you can add or change behavior with scripts.
  • Translated in multiple languages — the interface is available in more than one language.
  • Fully open source and actively developed — the code is available and the project is maintained.
  • Multi-network with auto-connect, join, and identify — you can connect to several networks and automate connecting, joining channels, and identifying to services.
  • Spellcheck, Proxies, SASL, DCC support and more — additional features that cover common IRC needs.

What you can do with it

With those features, typical tasks include:

  • Connect to more than one IRC network at the same time.
  • Set up automatic connection, automatic channel joins, and automatic identification so you do not repeat the same steps each time.
  • Use SASL for authentication where a network supports it.
  • Send and receive files with DCC.
  • Use a proxy if your network requires one.
  • Check spelling as you type.
  • Write Lua, Python, or Perl scripts to automate or extend what the client does.

Who it is for

HexChat suits users who want a free IRC client on Windows or Unix-like systems and who may want to script it later. If you only need to join a channel and chat, the built-in multi-network and auto-join features cover that. If you want to customize behavior, the scripting support is the reason to pick it over a client with no extension options.

How to get it

The official site provides entry points for reading the news, reading the docs, getting downloads, and viewing themes. Start with the downloads page for your system, then use the docs for setup details such as connecting to a network and configuring auto-connect, auto-join, and identify.